All About Books | NET Radio

Charles Stephen opens up Lorrie Moore's "A Gate at the Stairs," a witty, charming, and warm coming-of-age novel set in a Midwest college town. Otis Young considers "Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It" by Maile Meloy, a collection of short stories probing the complicated and often contradictory emotions encountered in everyday life.

Otis Young contemplates "Eternal Life: A New Vision: Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell," a thoughtful examination of deities and religion in the context of modern knowledge by retired bishop John Shelby Spong. Charles Stephen marches forward with "Darwin's Sacred Cause: How a Hatred of Slavery Shaped Darwin's Views on Human Evolution" by Adrian Desmond and James Moore, a deeply-researched though somewhat controversial new take on the motivations behind Charles Darwin's pivotal work and ideas.

Charles Stephen sails through "That Old Cape Magic" by Richard Russo, a poignant and introspective novel examining family ties, dreams for the future, and life changes. Otis Young discovers "I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing" by Kyria Abrahams, a candid and humorous autobiography of being raised in a devout religious environment.

Otis Young unearths Mitch Horowitz's "Occult America: The Secret History of How Mysticism Shaped Our Nation," an exploration of the less mainstream beliefs that have woven through American culture since before the Revolutionary War. Charles Stephen kicks back with "Seven Pleasures: Essays on Ordinary Happiness" by Willard Spiegelman, a collection of essays on looking, reading, walking, listening, and other simple pleasures. Stephen also glances through "Black and White and Dead All Over," a new mystery set in the world of journalism by John Darnton.

Guest reviewer Barbara Rixstine discusses "In Fed We Trust," by David Wessel, an economics reporter for the Wall Street Journal. This is a book about Federal Chairman Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve, and how they tried to head off the recent international financial disaster.

Charles Stephen talks with former U.S. poet laureate Ted Kooser about his latest book, "Lights on the Ground of Darkness," a short book of childhood remembrances.

Charles Stephen peruses "Defenders of the Faith: Charles V, Suleyman the Magnificent, and the Battle for Europe, 1520-1536" by James Reston Jr., the story of Islam's greatest incursion into Europe when the Ottoman and Holy Roman Empires clashed in Austria and Hungary. Otis Young corners "Castle," a new psychological thriller by J. Robert Lennon.

Otis Young reviews "The Shack," an unusual novel by William Paul Young in which a man whose child was kidnapped finds peace with loss at the scene where she may have been murdered. Charles Stephen reviews "The Water's Edge," an intelligent crime novel from Norway by Karin Fossum. Charles also discusses a new, beautifully illustrated new version of the classic "Don Quixote," by Miguel de Cervantes.

Charles Stephen delves into Peter Martin's "Samuel Johnson: A Biography," perhaps the most comprehensive account of the famous 18th century author's life. Stephen also takes a quick look at historical thriller "The Brothers Boswell" by Philip Baruth. Otis Young explores "Bridge of Sand" by Janet Burroway, a new novel which launches a senator's widow on an emotional journey complicated by love, race, and class issues.

Otis Young summarizes and reviews "The Evolution of God" by Robert Wright. This book traces the history of western belief in God and the concept that religions have evolved and become "better." Also reviewed by Charles Stephen is the final crime novel by the late Donald E. Westlake, "Get Real."

Charles Stephen reviews "In the Graveyard of Empires: America's War in Afghanistan" by Seth G. Jones. The noted authority on Afghanistan offers both the history of U.S. foreign policy towards the country and suggestions for the future. Otis Young does the honors for "The Eleventh Victim" by CNN host Nancy Grace, who has written a new crime novel set in the South about a serial killer.

Otis Young reviews "My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey" a book by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, who recounts the massive stroke she suffered -- and her decade-long recovery. Charles Stephen discusses "The Book of William: How Shakespeare's First Folio Conquered the World," by Paul Collins.

Charles Stephen wades into "The Shipwreck That Saved Jamestown: The Sea Venture Castaways and the Fate of America" by Lorri Glover and Daniel Blake Smith, a historic tale of courage, survival, and escape. Otis Young unlocks "Wanting" by Richard Flanagan, a narrative interweaving events from the lives of Charles Dickens and Sir John Franklin.

Otis Young reviews "Losing My Religion" by former LA Times religion reporter William Lobdell, who recounts the story of how he became a Protestant evangelical, nearly accepted Catholicism, and finally rejected religion altogether. Young also reviews "A Bride in the Bargain," by Deeanne Gist. In this new novel a 19-year-old woman moves west to Seattle in the 1860's to marry a stranger, which allows him to claim land as a married man.

Otis Young takes on "The Myth of American Exceptionalism" by Godfrey Hodgson, a cutting but fair critique of the modern U.S.'s self-image. Young also evaluates Richard A. Posner's "A Failure of Capitalism: The Crisis of '08 and the Descent into Depression," one of the first comprehensive books published on the origin of today's economic woes.